STEWART CHASES HISTORY IN NSW MIDGET TITLE

Feature photo by: Gary Reid…Flashback to 2022: Defending NSW Midget Champion Michael Stewart – looking to join a select group who have recorded a hat-trick of state title wins. 

Media release by: Dennis Newlyn.

Defending titleholder Michael Stewart will attempt to become only the fifth driver in the long and illustrious year history of the NSW Midget Championship to win three consecutive state titles when he contests the seventy-ninth running of the event at Eastern Creek Speedway, February 25.

The state crown for the Mighty Midgets will be part of a three star card that also features 410 Sprintcars and Wingless Sprints.

Stewart hopes to emulate what NZ born (later American citizen) Frank Brewer achieved in 1952, ’53, 54, Sydney’s Johnny Harvey (1959, 60, 61), winning record holder Barry Pinchbeck (1974, ’77, ’78, ’79, 80 and ’81) and Adam Clarke (2000, 2001, 2001-02 season) with their triple crown consecutive victories.

However, he will face a strong welcoming committee that includes former winners Troy Jenkins, Nathan Smee, Matt Jackson and Kaidon Brown in a field that also features drivers from WA, SA, Victoria and Queensland. The championship also serves as the perfect curtain raiser for the following week’s Australian Midget Championship (March 3 and 4) at ECS.

To add even more spice, American Brady Bacon is also on the nomination list driving for car owner Gavin Ohlback.

Bacon heads to ECS fresh from his recent United States Auto Club Sprintcar success at Florida’s Bubba Raceway Park 

Bacon raced to his 47th career USAC National Sprintcar feature victory which moved him a further step up the USAC rankings ladder to tie with Tracy Hines for third all-time feature wins. On hand to greet Bacon in victory lane was the man he overtook in USAC career standings, Troy Ohio’s, Jack Hewitt (with 46 USAC features).

The NSW Midget title is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the world after the inaugural running on January 30, 1938 over a four lap distance at the former Sydney Sportsground, which then hosted the event for another four consecutive seasons before the race made its debut at the hallowed Sydney Showground on February 1, 1947 over a nine lap distance. The title later returned to the Sydney Sportsground on three occasions.

From March 3, 1956 to December 12, 1970 the NSW Midget-Speedcar Championship was decided at the Sydney Showground. The Moore Park venue hosted the state title 26 times overall, while Liverpool, Newcastle, Wagga, Gunnedah, Canberra, Nowra and Parramatta City Raceway are other venues where the race was contested before it came to Eastern Creek Speedway last season. 

The NSW Midget Championship has been won by some of the biggest names in Australian, New Zealand and American Midget racing over the decades. The winners’ list includes the late Sir Jack Brabham (AO OBE) who won at the Sydney Showground in 1948.

Kaidon Brown can expect a busy night as he has also nominated for the 410 Sprintcar events with close to 40 entries received.

There is plenty of interest in the respective NSW Sprintcar Association club championship and ECS track title point scores going into the next rounds. 

The drivers well placed in both are Michael Saller, Troy Little, Aaron Kelly, Lachlan Caunt and Warren Ferguson and all have entered for this Saturday night.

It’s another strong list of entries also featuring heavy hitters Jordyn Brazier, Sam Walsh, Alex Orr, Alex Attard, Jessie Attard and Mark Attard.

Wingless entries are again impressive with over 40 nominations.

Trying to pick a main event winner for the Wingless feature is not easy as there are a number of strong runners, Jason Bates, Bailey Goodwin Jason Davis, Andrew Sayre and Mark Blyton amongst the cast of the fast to ensure the Wingless Sprints will again provide highly entertaining racing.

TRACK INO – FEBRUARY 25

Adults only $35, Children (5-12yrs) $10, Teens (13-15yrs) $15, FT Students & Pensioners with photo ID $30 and a Family Pass is just $80 and includes 2 Adults and 2 Children 12yrs or under. Under 5yrs is free. Racing from 6pm. Check out www.easterncreekspeedway.com/au/events.htm for ticketing, prices and times. Full list of nominations will be available on our website from the Monday prior to the event.